The CinefestOZ two-day Industry Program at Esplanade Hotel, Busselton, broke new ground by live streaming the event for those unable to attend due to WA’s hard border closure. The program was watched by people across Australia, the US and New Zealand.
CinefestOZ has presented a program that certainly exceeded expectations and the feedback has been super positive. If you attended the Industry Program, please fill in this short survey to make 2021 even bigger and brighter. By providing your feedback we can continue to achieve positive outcomes for the region, our volunteers and the Australian film industry.
Industry Program Highlights
Our Voices on Screen
CinefestOZ’s leading voices Jodie Bell and Jub Clerc joined Dot West and Screen Australia’s Head of Indigenous Department Penny Smallacombe to discuss the importance of Indigenous key creatives taking the helm to “tell our stories, our way”, As Jodie said “nothing about us, without us”. And Penny Smallacombe from Screen Australia stated “It’s a Human Right for Indigenous people to be in charge of their own storytelling”.
Screenwest announced ‘Adaptable’, a new initiative bringing WA books to the screen during the Book to Screen panel session with John Sheedy, Director and Lisa Hoppe, Screenwriter of H is for Happiness.
The 20 per cent PDV rebate was also announced by Screenwest. CinefestOZ has been an advocate for the post sector, along with Industry legend Lawrie Silverstein who participated in an important CinefestOZ panel session at The Backlot in 2019. It’s wonderful news for our post friends Siamese, Sandbox, Boogie Monster, Double Barrel VFX, Last Pixel and Envelope Audio.
The festival welcomed home many WA creatives, including Zak Hilditch, the focus of a Directors Spotlight.
American actor Kate Walsh provided her perspectives on Hollywood and film opportunities in WA.
Special guest presenters and panelists included Nick Forward Chief Content Officer at Stan and Matthew Deaner from SPA. Mike Baard from Universal, Paul Wiegard from Madman and Roadshow’s Joel Pearlman.
CinefestOZ 2021 dates are 25-29 August.